Consultant Specialist Orthodontist with over 25 years' experience
Have you been told as an adult that you need to wear a brace? It really isn't as bad as you think!
Braces have come a long way in the last few years, with more discreet options being available to help you get the smile that you want without hassle.
Our team at the Orthodontist London will be on hand to help any adults who are new to the world of braces. Our orthodontist Marylebone will always be available to answer any questions you have, as well as to tighten those braces and make sure that your teeth are doing as they are told!
So, here are some things that our orthodontist Marylebone wants you to know about braces.
2-3 years on average
If you have been online, you may have heard horror stories about people needing to wear braces for 6+ years. Our orthodontist Marylebone is not likely to do this as, with too much force, the roots of your teeth can reabsorb, and your teeth can fall out.
So, we will aim to get even the most complex cases of orthodontic work done in around 2-3 years.
You will need wax!
It is safe to say that when you begin wearing a brace, it is going to rub against either your inner cheeks or your tongue (in the case of lingual braces).
However, one saving grace is dental wax! This is used to cushion these soft tissues against the metal, which can prevent sores from happening. There are many different brands of wax, with Orthodots being a popular one.
Water flossers are your best friend!
When you wear braces, your best bet to keep your teeth clean is to invest in a water flosser.
This is a device that shoots water into your mouth (very similar to what a dentist will do during a check-up) and dislodges food particles from between your teeth. Water flossers usually have 3 settings; standard, soft and pulse. However, if you have minor gum disease when you use your water flosser, you can expect there to be a bit of bleeding as the inflammation gets hit!
Wear your rubber bands!
Why do you need to wear rubber bands when you have braces?
Well, it may be linked to needing to move a tooth when it is twisted, or it may be linked to your bite. If you have an overbite or an underbite, then our team can attempt to fix this with the daily use of rubber bands.
Remember, if you don't wear your rubber bands, we may need to put in a Herbst appliance; this is a metal bar system that is attached to your teeth, usually to correct an overbite.
You may need a TAD
At this point, you may be wondering what a TAD is. Well, it is an acronym for a temporary anchorage device, and these are commonly used when a tooth or teeth need to be pulled in a direction that cannot be achieved with rubber bands.
In simple terms, a TAD is like a mini implant that has part of its tip exposed, so our orthodontic team may use it to attach wires or rubber bands, which will then be used to move the teeth.
Your TAD may need to be worn for anywhere between 6 weeks to many months but don't worry! We will show you how to keep it clean!
